When is the Russian presidential election and who are the candidates against Putin?

Russia will hold presidential election from March 15-17, with results following shortly afterwards and the winner being inaugurated in May. Communist Party's Nikolai Kharitonov, leader of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party Leonid Slutsky, and Vladislav Davankov of the New People party are running against Vladimir Putin. Around 70-80 million people usually cast ballots.